How to use this Page

That's a very moving tribute to you (well-deserved) and to a long-standing friendship.

May you have many more book contracts and many more good friends in your life!

(p.s. The link didn't work for me, so I had to Google the phrase to find Jamie's post)

Thank you Joanne (and thanks for the heads up!)

Awww, Caroline. That is beautiful -- such a gift from a wonderful friend!

Can't WAIT to read May!

That was a great post. And so deserved. Happy, happy release day! Enjoy your special time. So excited for you.

What a lovely post! Congrats on your book birthday! I'm looking forward to seeing you this weekend!!

Kimberley, sorry I dashed. I was ready for bed!

What a lovely post on you! Congrats! Happy release day!

I don't have kids, but I have eight nieces and nephews. My three year old nephew is at the word discovery age and says thinks like, "Mom, Mom, I just really think it's important that you know, Mom, that I really think you should know that I really love you." Also, he does the politician stance off putting his hands in a loose fist, like game show contestants too, and says things like, "I have something to tell everyone. This dinner is espetional." (Exceptional)

He also says, "Uno mas," instead of one more.

Too funny. My oldest has a Kindergarten teacher that hypenates her name. So mostly she goes by Mrs. CW. Now my son signs his work with his initials too.

Great question!

My kids are older, but I remember them going through this stage. They loved new words, risky words and silly words. Pumpernickel pudding became a regular phrase around our house for a while. They both used it when they were frustrated :)

my son is 2.25. he has always been pretty advanced for his age verbally. he speaks in 5-6 word sentences AT LEAST. his most recent extremely irritating habit has been to repeat everything repeat repeat repeat...today was a new one he said "I have an idea" and when I asked what it was he said "I can't remember" and laughed at himself and hit his head. we did have a small incident today where he kept repeating a not too nice word over and over and over - I said that's not nice but he just ignored me and kept saying it so I just walked away. he stopped.

LOL Ahh, my six year old has recently started with "ain't" and it drives me CRAZY. I repeat with correct grammar and she goes, "yeah" like, duh!

Rhiannon loves to experiment with new vocabulary which can be tons of fun when she can't quite pronounce the word. LOL I think it was obsequious the other night.

Oh yes. Somehow the word "hate" has made it into my 5 and 4 year olds vocabulary lately. It isn't a word I love, but it is powerful and they know that.

It is interesting how kids figure out the power of language to begin to distinguish themselves as individuals and mark out their personal boundaries (to borrow a term from the psychologists).

When my daughter was 4, I remember her demanding "I need privacy!" and slamming a door like a petulant teenager. It was a bit of a shock that she understood the concept and the line-in-the-sand nature of privacy.

Like Jonathon, I don't have kids, but I do have a bevy of nieces and nephews. It is amazing to watch kids individuate themselves and become their own person. All children at one point or another discover the power of words. It's not always pleasant for the parents, but recognizing it for what it is, is more than half the battle.

I love this post. Kids are so aware of language and sometimes so literal about it, too. My 7 y.o. is definitely experimenting. His latest thing is using the word touche for everything. He's decided it's both a French and a Russian word, so he it must be Frenchussian! :-)

Great discussion everyone! More proof that language and the words we choose carry so much meaning.

Great post, Caroline. It's fun to see kids experiment with words - preferably the good ones (although the bad ones provide great teaching opportunities).

My 12yo has always had an amazing vocabulary, and loves to discover new words and their meanings. Every once in a while he'll throw something into the conversation, then say "I've been waiting for months to use that word!" It's pretty funny.

Caroline,
I LOVE your new picture! And the header! Very nice look!

What cute ways children have of expressing themselves. I hadn't thought of this specifically for each of my children, but I'll to be on the lookout!

I love how your little ones express themselves with words.

My big kid changed his name to JJ when he started school. We're having word issues with him big time right now. When he encounters words like naked, dam, or donkey, he can't resist giggling and making other kids read them or say them. For donkey, he likes to say, "you know what the other word for that is, right?!" I know it's a phase, but can it pass already?

My daughter is just learning language and loves trying out new words. Today she told me, "Mama, you is a no m'am!" Apparently whatever I was doing was very, very wrong. Too cute!

Oh My!!! Our just 2 year old says an emphatic no in front of everything and then repeats the last word you said. "Would you like to go to bed" "No, bed"; "Would you like some chocolate?" "No chocolate!"... Very funny!!!

What a great list of "reads!"

I am always on the lookout for new books for my kiddos, so we may be picking some of these up from our local library!

Yes, isn't this a great win for Kekla? Her book is in my to-be-read pile near my bed . . . can't wait to read it, now! :)

Picture books are my absolute favorite!! :-)

I love picture books too! I have a few boxes saved from when my kids were younger. So many beautiful books!!

We love the rattle-trap car!!! Universal story I guess!!!

Hi Caroline, thanks for stopping by my blog. BC hey?! I have not joined SCBWI, but I am saving up to do so. It'll be nice to join the groups of people that know what's what.

So glad to find some on here I've never heard of, AND to find one of our favorites, the Rattletrap Car! "Junie was hot; Jakie was hot; Papa and the baby were hot hot hot ..."

Right now we are loving Curious George and The Bear Snores On/ Bear Wants More books. Thanks for the other suggestions. We'll have to check them out :)

I forgot all about BEAR SNORES ON and all the other Bear books! Beautiful and so fun to read aloud. Anything Jane Chapman illustrates always is a winner.

Professional parenting? Interesting concept. I think I like it. It is nice to think of motherhood and fatherhood with the respect each 'profession' deserves. :)

Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation.

Parenting deserves the spotlight. The hardest and most rewarding profession I know.

Oooo, sounds inspiring. Thanks for the recommendation.

The book is truly inspiring--you'll love it. The simple, yet impactful, ideas and tools will give every mom the encouragement and excitement they need to embrace each day. I too am biased, but I still love and appreciate what Jamie has done!

Sounds like a wonderful book!

Congrats to her!!
I love parenting books!

On my way! I love anything about boy books. :)

LOL :) Too bad our city's too small for carpools. Apparently I'd be a smarter person!

I am rolling!

I love this blog.

Who knew that carpool could be so informative? Love it...

I am laughing way too hard and way too loud right now! :-)

Glad to hear my crew is so entertaining! One young carpool lady, while watching my boys fuss at one another, asked, "Do your boys ever get in trouble big time?"

Things are sometimes different when you're a girl and you have a much-older sister!

Ha, ha! So funny Caroline. I love listening to my kids when they don't know I'm listening!

This put a smile on my face. Thanks!

Yes, car pools are interesting little social experiments aren't they. :)

Too funny! My thirteen year old said, "Mom, how do the deer know to cross at the signs?" Seriously, my brilliant (taking two classes one grade level ahead of her rade), well read, novel-writing teenager asked me that.

Have a great holiday, Caroline.

Sharon, I love it! I moved from Saudi Arabia back to the US when I was six. When I saw a deer-crossing sign, I thought it was a picture of a goat!

Elementary school conversations were way more entertaining than middle school has been so far. I only cart around boys, so I know more about Warhammer, Halo, Space Hulk, etc. than I ever wanted to know. Sometimes I make them listen to opera just to get even.

Caroline--That sounds like a good picture book idea...Where Do the Goats Cross, Daddy? multi-cultural/moving to a new country book. :)